THE House of Representatives has approved the P7-billion budget proposed by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) to bankroll the government’s peace initiatives across the country.
OPAPRU chief Carlito Galvez Jr. thanked lawmakers for their support, saying the allocation was crucial to sustaining the gains of the peace process.
Galvez also acknowledged the sponsorship of the agency’s allocation by Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez.
“This peace budget is absolutely critical in moving forward the country’s comprehensive peace process. It is the lifeblood for turning signed peace agreements into lasting realities on the ground as part of the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr,” Galvez said.
The OPAPRU currently oversees at least five peace negotiations, including those with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Cordillera Bodong Administration–Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA), the Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB), and the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Aside from implementing agreements, the budget will fund peace-building programs such as the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) initiative and the Social Healing and Peacebuilding Office (SHAPEO).
Galvez said the House’s approval demonstrated that peace was being recognized as a national priority. The Senate Committee on Finance earlier gave its initial approval to measure.
